HOBOKEN, N.J. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College Men's Soccer team delivered a valiant effort in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom Semifinal, as the program dropped a hard-fought 3-1 match to Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. Aaron Weitzel made an impact for LVC in the contest, scoring a goal in the first half.
 
The Dutchmen generated some offensive opportunities early in the opening half, as Logan Hicks took a shot on goal that was saved 4:43 into the contest. This was followed by Weitzel sending a shot to the right of the net at the 7:13 mark. Lebanon Valley's defense was also productive early in the first stanza, preventing the Ducks from taking a shot for over 13 minutes at the start. Stevens registered its first shot on goal of the night at the 15:16 mark, but goalkeeper Dalton Fitterling was there to make the save for LVC.

The Dutchmen opened the scoring 17:35 into the match, taking a 1-0 lead over the Ducks. The program got on the board when Charlie McCormick took a corner kick that went to Ben Kolarek, who sent a header pass to Weitzel, which led to the senior's header shot into the back of the net. The Ducks countered with a shot toward the net at the 19:42 mark, which resulted in another stop by Fitterling. The goalie faced another shot 23:46 into the game and posted his third save.

The programs proceeded to battle defensively for over seven minutes, as neither team tallied a shot on goal over this stretch. Stevens then evened the score at the 31:12 mark, tying things up at 1-1 on a goal by Martin Fields. The Ducks followed this by adding another 37:12 into the game on a penalty kick goal by Emerico Vespucci, prompting the team to take a 2-1 advantage into halftime.

Lebanon Valley and Stevens continued to go back and forth defensively when the second half got underway, keeping each other from taking a shot for nearly 10 minutes at the start. The Ducks recorded a shot on goal 59:57 into the match, and Fitterling made another stop for the Dutchmen. LVC also worked to create scoring chances as the contest went on, as Tyler Snavely took a shot that went above the net at the 63:44 mark.  

The next shot was taken by Stevens 73:58 into the game, which resulted in a save by goalkeeper Ryan Simonette. The Ducks later tacked on a point at the 79:29 mark, going ahead 3-1 on a goal by Omar Martinez. Lebanon Valley then continued to battle as the end of the contest approached, as Weitzel took two shots and Charlie McCormick registered an attempt during the remaining minutes. Ultimately, Stevens maintained its 3-1 lead through the end of the game.

Inside the Box Score

• Weitzel netted his team-most seventh goal of the season. The senior also tied a game-high four total shots.
• Kolarek and McCormick dished out assists on Weitzel's goal.
• Lebanon Valley took eight shots, putting three attempts on goal.
• Matthew Weinstock-Collins and Hicks each put a shot on goal.
• McCormick and Snavely also both tallied a shot attempt.
• Fitterling made four saves.
• Simonette registered a save.
• LVC tallied two corner kicks.

Lebanon Valley concluded the 2024 season with a 9-8-2 overall record and a 3-3-1 mark against MAC Freedom opponents.

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